Geranium plant named ‘Genstarvi’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Geranium  plant named ‘Genstarvi’ that is characterized by purple double flowers, medium green foliage with a light zonation pattern and a medium flower response.

Botanical classification: Pelargonium peltatum.

Variety denomination: ‘Genstarvi’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Geraniumplant botanically known as Pelargonium peltatum and hereinafter referredto by the cultivar name ‘Genstarvi’.

The new cultivar is the product of a breeding program conducted by theinventor in a cultivated area of Hagenbach, Germany. The objective ofthe breeding program is to develop new Geranium cultivars with doubleflowers, medium green foliage and a medium flower response.

‘Genstarvi’ is a hybrid that originated from the induced hybridizationof the female or seed parent a proprietary selection of Pelargoniumpeltatum identified by number E623 (not patented) and the male or pollenparent a proprietary selection of Pelargonium peltatum identified bynumber F831 (not patented). The cultivar ‘Genstarvi’ was selected by theinventor in 2000 as a single plant within the progeny of the statedcross in a controlled environment of Hagenbach, Germany.

Asexual reproduction by terminal cuttings of the new cultivar‘Genstarvi’ were taken in 2000 in Hagenbach, Germany. Since that time,under careful observation, the unique characteristics of the newcultivar have been uniform, stable and reproduced true to type insuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following represent the distinguishing characteristics of the newGeranium cultivar ‘Genstarvi’. These traits in combination distinguish‘Genstarvi’ as a new and distinct cultivar apart from other knownexisting varieties of Geranium.

-   -   1. Geranium ‘Genstarvi’ exhibits purple flowers.    -   2. Geranium ‘Genstarvi’ exhibits double flowers.    -   3. Geranium ‘Genstarvi’ exhibits medium green foliage with a        light zonation pattern.    -   4. Geranium ‘Genstarvi’ exhibits a medium flower response.

The closest comparison variety is Geranium ‘Flocato’ (not patented).‘Genstarvi’ is different than ‘Flocato’ in having a lighter zonationpattern, a smaller habit and a cordate leaf base.

The new cultivar ‘Genstarvi’ is distinguishable from the female parentE623 by the following characteristics:

-   -   1. ‘Genstarvi’ has darker purple flowers.    -   2. ‘Genstarvi’ has a larger habit.    -   3. ‘Genstarvi’ has a zonation pattern.    -   4. ‘Genstarvi’ has an earlier flower response.

The new cultivar ‘Genstarvi’ is distinguishable from the male parentF831 by the following characteristics:

-   -   1. ‘Genstarvi’ has darker purple flowers.    -   2. ‘Genstarvi’ has a more compact habit.    -   3. ‘Genstarvi’ has a lighter zonation pattern.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photograph illustrates the distinguishing traits ofGeranium ‘Genstarvi’. The plant in the photograph shows an overall viewof a 12 week old plant. The photograph was taken using conventionaltechniques and although colors may appear different from actual colorsdue to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventionalphotographic techniques.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new Geranium cultivarnamed ‘Genstarvi’. Data was collected in Hagenbach, Germany from 12 weekold plants grown under glass greenhouse conditions. The plants weregrown in 12 cm diameter containers. The time of year was Spring and thedaytime temperature ranged from 18 to 26° Centigrade. The temperature atnight ranged from 16 to 20° Centigrade. The light level was 20 to 35klux. No photoperiodic treatments were used. The growth retardantCycocel 720 was applied at a rate of 0.05 percent. Color determinationsare in accordance with The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2001edition, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionarysignificance are used. The growing requirements are similar to thespecies.

‘Genstarvi’ has not been tested under all possible conditions andphenotypic differences may be observed with variations in environmental,climatic, and cultural conditions, however, without any variance ingenotype.

-   Botanical classification: Pelargonium peltatum cultivar ‘Genstarvi’.-   Annual or perennial: Annual.-   Parentage: ‘Genstarvi’ is a hybrid plant that resulted from the    induced hybridization of the following parent plants:    -   -   Female parent.—A proprietary selection of Pelargonium            peltatum identified as E623.        -   Male parent.—A proprietary selection of Pelargonium peltatum            identified as F831.-   Vigor: Moderate.-   Growth rate: Approximately 6.5 cm. per month.-   Growth habit: Upright, outwardly spreading.-   Plant shape: Globose.-   Plant height: Average 20 cm. in height.-   Plant width: Average 16 cm. in width.-   Suitable container size: 10 to 14 cm containers.-   Propagation: Terminal cuttings.-   Time to initiate roots: Approximately 6-8 days to produce roots on    an initial cutting.-   Time to produce a rooted cutting or liner: Approximately 20-26 days.-   Crop time: From a rooted cutting, approximately 12.5 weeks are    required to produce a finished flowering plant.-   High temperature tolerance: 40 degrees Centigrade.-   Low temperature tolerance: 0 degrees Centigrade.-   Root system: Fine and fibrous.-   Stem:    -   -   Branching habit.—Free branching.        -   Basal branching.—Yes.        -   Average number of lateral branches.—6.        -   Pinching.—No.        -   Lateral branch dimensions.—12 cm. in length and 0.35 cm. in            diameter.        -   Lateral branch strength.—Moderate.        -   Color.—143B.        -   Internode length.—2.6 cm. between nodes.        -   Shape.—Round.        -   Surface texture.—Glabrous, slightly glossy.-   Foliage:    -   -   Leaf arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Compound or single.—Single.        -   Quantity of leaves per lateral branch.—6.        -   Leaf shape.—Reniform.        -   Leaf apex.—Acute.        -   Leaf base.—Cordate.        -   Leaf length.—4 cm. in length.        -   Leaf width.—7.5 cm. in width.        -   Texture.—Fine pubescence is present on both upper and lower            leaf surfaces.        -   Leaf margin.—Entire lobed.        -   Vein pattern.—Palmate.        -   Young leaf color (upper surface).—137B.        -   Young leaf color (lower surface).—137C.        -   Mature leaf color (upper surface).—137A.        -   Mature leaf color (lower surface).—137B to 137C.        -   Vein color (upper surface).—144A.        -   Vein color (lower surface).—138B.        -   Zonation pattern.—light.        -   Leaf zone coloration.—176A.        -   Leaf attachment.—Petiolate.        -   Petiole dimensions.—6.0 cm. in length and 2.8 mm. in width.        -   Petiole color.—144A.        -   Petiole texture.—Fine pubescence is present.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Inflorescence arrangement.—Rounded hemispherical umbels.        -   Inflorescence type.—Umbel.        -   Inflorescence dimensions.—4.0 cm in height and 7.5 cm in            width.        -   Flowering habit.—Continuous.        -   Quantity of flowers per inflorescence.—Approximately 9.        -   Quantity of buds per lateral stem.—Approximately 6.        -   Quantity of flowers and buds per plant.—Approximately 110.        -   Flowering season.—Spring to Summer.        -   Time to flower.—Approximately 8.5 weeks.        -   Rate of flower opening.—Approximately 60% of the flowers are            opened at once.        -   Fragrance.—None.        -   Bud dimensions.—6 mm. in length and 3.8 mm. in diameter.        -   Bud shape.—Elliptical.        -   Bud color.—143B.        -   Rate of bud opening.—4 days.        -   Flower aspect.—Upright.        -   Flower shape.—Shallow cup shaped, rounded, double.        -   Flower dimensions.—5.3 cm. in diameter and 2.0 cm. in            height.        -   Flower longevity.—Lasts approximately 9 days on plant.        -   Petal texture.—Glabrous.        -   Number of petals.—8.        -   Petals fused or unfused.—Unfused.        -   Petal shape.—Ovate.        -   Petal margin.—Entire.        -   Petal apex.—Rounded.        -   Petal base.—Attenuate.        -   Petal dimensions.—2.4 cm. in length and 2.1 cm. in width.        -   Upper petal color when opening (upper side).—78B with a mark            above the base, 2 mm in diameter, color 77A.        -   Lower petal color when opening (upper side).—78B.        -   Upper petal color when opening (under side).—78C with a mark            above the base, 2 mm in diameter, color 77A.        -   Lower petal color when opening (under side).—78B.        -   Upper petal color fully opened (upper side).—78B with a mark            above the base, 2 mm in diameter, color 77A.        -   Lower petal color fully opened (upper side).—78B.        -   Upper petal color fully opened (under side).—78C with a mark            above the base, 2 mm in diameter, color 77A.        -   Lower petal color fully opened (under side).—78B.        -   Petaloids.—4 triangle shaped, 1.4 cm in length and 3 mm in            width, color 78B.-   Self-cleaning or persistent: Persistent.-   Sepals:    -   -   Number of sepals.—5.        -   Sepal surface.—Upper side: dull and pubescent, Lower side:            glabrous.        -   Sepal shape.—Lanceolate.        -   Sepal margin.—Entire.        -   Sepal apex.—Acute.        -   Sepal base.—Cuneate.        -   Sepal dimensions.—1.4 cm. in length and 3.5 mm. in width.        -   Sepal color immature (upper side).—143B.        -   Sepal color immature (under side).—143B.        -   Sepal color mature (upper side).—143B.        -   Sepal color mature (under side).—143B.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Peduncle dimensions.—8.0 cm. in length and 3.0 mm. in            diameter.        -   Peduncle angle.—15°.        -   Peduncle color.—144A.        -   Peduncle strength.—Moderate.        -   Peduncle texture.—Fine pubescence is present.-   Pedicels:    -   -   Pedicel dimensions.—2.1 cm. in length and 1.2 mm. in            diameter.        -   Pedicel angle.—20°.        -   Pedicel color immature.—143A.        -   Pedicel color mature.—46C.        -   Pedicel strength.—Moderate.        -   Pedicel texture.—Fine pubescence is present.-   Reproduction organs:    -   -   Stamen number.—6.        -   Anther shape.—Ovate.        -   Anther dimensions.—2.5 mm.        -   Anther color.—61B.        -   Amount of pollen.—Moderate.        -   Pollen color.—31A.        -   Pistil number.—1 in number.        -   Pistil dimensions.—8 mm. in length.        -   Stigma shape.—Five parted, star shaped.        -   Stigma color.—46A.        -   Style length.—5 mm.        -   Style color.—46A.        -   Ovary color.—143B.-   Seed: Seed production has not been observed.-   Disease and pest resistance: Plants of the new geranium have not    been observed for disease or pest resistance.

1. A new and distinct variety of Geranium plant named ‘Genstarvi’ asdescribed and illustrated.